Tuesday, June 14, 2016

What's In My Travel Bag?

So I'm back from my Melbourne trip, the purpose of which was just to relax and enjoy some 'me time' (oh OK, and to shop!), so I thought I'd post about what skincare products I took with me. I've fallen into the trap, many times, of overpacking not just clothes, but also in the beauty department. I've packed full-sized bottles of toner that leaked everywhere, huge hairsprays most of which I wouldn't need and 17 lipsticks, when three would have been sufficient!

I totally decided to adult and pack smart this time! They don't make travel-sized products for shits and giggles after all! Luckily, the Bloggers United AU Adelaide Event I attended a few months ago provided me with goodie bags filled with beauty products to try, many of them mini-sized. So I raided my goodie bags, sample collection and product stash to unearth a good array of products designed to meet my needs without taking up half my suitcase! Of course, this was another chance to use up the leftover samples from my May Sample Challenge Update post, too!Now you might be thinking 15 (two not pictured) products just for skincare is a lot to take for a three night trip, and IT IS! But when they're this small, you can totally get away with it!

Skincare Products I Took:Burts Bees Nourishing Facial Water ~ only remembered to use it once, but it was refreshing and lovely.NatraSan Instant Hand Sanitiser* (not pictured) ~ absolute godsend, I used this every day during makeup application, as I do at home.Swisspers Cleansing Eye Make-Up Remover Pads (not pictured) ~ these weren't that good, I felt like there wasn't enough product in each pad for them to work effectively.Natralus Paw Paw Lip Butter in Coconut* ~ nourishing, moisturising, great for keeping my lips soft.La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream ~ I save the luxe skincare samples for holidays when I want to look my best, and La Prairie is my most favourite skincare brand. Amazing results (with an accompanying amazing pricetag, eg the 50ml of this will set you back $530 - which is why I treat my La Prairie samples like liquid gold!).La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex ~ I use this as a first step under my eyes... BAM! Immediate improvement in dark circles, puffiness and fine lines. If you ever get the opportunity to try anything from La Prairie, for the love of god, do it!Enbacci Vitis Vinifera Rejuvenating Gel Cleanser* ~ gel cleansers are my favourite, and this Enbacci one was really nice. I'd definitely look into buying this once my trial size runs out.Enbacci Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Scrub* ~ yas! A clear standout for me. I love the texture of the super-fine particles; this scrub felt great and my skin was smooth and soft afterwards. Love it!Enbacci Pore Minimiser with Tea Tree Oil*, Vitis Vinifera Rejuvenating Essential Creme* and Vitis Vinifera Essence with Grape Stem Cells* ~ didn't end up using.Dr Hauschka Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Cream* ~ this is a beautiful, light formula that absorbed really quickly and smelled delightful. Perfect for before bed because lavender helps you sleep (not that I needed help, I was stuffed after all the walking each day)!Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Bath Essence* ~ didn't use because I bought a few Lush bath products to use instead. I couldn't help myself! (see photo below!)Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum ~ this is OK, but I prefer the Clinique Sculptwear Lift And Contour Serum, mini-reviewed here.Clinique All About Eyes Serum ~ I used this on one morning when I had puffiness and it was cooling and effective in improving the appearance of my under-eye area.

The reason I didn't use the Dr Hauschka Bath Essence. Oops! #soznotsoz

Disclaimer: Products marked * were provided for editorial consideration. Reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

When I first saw the photo, I was like dang so much stuff! Then my eyes re-adjusted, and I read what you wrote, and I was like, ohhhh, they're travel sized, much smaller. The Enbacci Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Scrub sounds great, and I like the sound of their pore minimiser too, will have to try sometime.

Loved your post! I am guilty of always overpacking when I travel especially on toiletries, skincare and makeup so it was great to discover some of your must-have travel products, I love the sound of the La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex - I will definitely have to try it! x Marisa Robinson http://www.marisarobinson-mua.com/makeup-by-marisa/

Love having a nosey in people's bags! I'm a chronic overpacker when it comes to toiletries and makeup, and I'm not even that "into" it. I was so proud when I cut down and didn't even take hairspray on my (one night) trip to Sydney last weekend haha. Now set on tracking down La Prairie samples :P

Clever gal - sample sizes so you could fill your bag with Lush Loot! I used to have a thing about La Prairie - it was my dream, my ultimate, my fantasy. And then a darling friend sent me a whole stash of their products and I was over the moon (and tripping into the next galaxy), but it was too rich for for my skin and my pore congestion went off the scale of reasonableness. I was shattered. It is SO beautiful though - the formula, the fragrance, the packaging, sigh. But probably just as well I had an issue 'cos I certainly couldn't afford to buy it. Delighted you love it though Di - I don't know many gals who've tried it ♥♥♥

Oh no, what a shame, but yeah, maybe a blessing in disguise. It's a constant dilemma with me because it's the most effective anti-ageing skincare I've ever used and yet it is SO expensive - I just can't pay that amount, you know? xxx

I always take heaps of makeup on holiday - and then never use it! But I bet the time I don't pack it is the time I'll really want to wear it ;-) . As far as beauty products go, my travel essentials would have to be my cleanser, moisturiser, and body moisturiser (as travel is incredibly drying for my skin).

Yes I always pack heaps then don't use it too! AS you can see from this post, there were a few things that never got used. Body moisturiser is essential - I need to force myself to apply it though, haha! :)

And I thought I took too many beauty products on holiday! hehe but in reality they are tiny so it is justified and they are good products. Can't wait to try my enbacci products as well <3Sammy | Bargainbaglady.com

I don't tend to get/keep samples, so what I do is buy a whole stack of empty travel bottles from Chemist Warehouse (if I need them, which I don't right now) & fill them with skincare or hair care stuff (like shampoo & conditioner) I already have. I'm a minimalist with makeup anyway, so it's not a problem for me...but skincare definitely is!

The La Prairie counter at David Jones. It helps if you get David Jones beauty emails and La Prairie emails, cos you can print off the offers when they are offering samples, which makes it a lot easier!